In the continuing fallout from the Roscommon Hospital affair, Health Minister James Reilly was challenged at the party's parliamentary meeting to say how many promises he made on local hospitals before the general election.

Mr Kenny also faced disquiet from backbenchers about the expulsion of Mr Naughten.

Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames asked if it was true Mr Naughten was given just 30 minutes to clear out his desk in the Fine Gael corridors in Leinster House and move office straight away.

But Mr Kenny said the rumour was false. The Taoiseach said it was important to have discipline within the Coalition. He said the party had a discipline problem in the 1980s and it almost caused a split.